I'm not sure how I feel about Australia Day.

I like that Australia has strict gun laws. I like the Westminster system, and compulsory voting. I like Medicare. And I guess I like electricity, and water, and internet, and education, and food.

Some of those could be attributed to good governance, others to historical good fortune.

But the 6pm news last night seemed to suggest that there is something intrinsically virtuous about being Australian.

Me thinks that there is something about the evolutionary psychology of in-groups and out-groups at work here.

Being a Star Trek fan, I'm looking forward to an Earth Government, in which I'm sure there'll still be a place for Vegemite and public holidays.